I Run to Eat

This phrase should be on a t-shirt, a running tshirt. I would sport one, and I can guarantee there are other runners out there that would, too. Hmmm, maybe I'll design one and sell it. Actually, someone likely beat me to it.

My point is, I am a runner and my motivation is food. A couple of years ago Michael and I ran the 7-mile bridge race in the Keys. It was an awesome race for me, and afterward I treated myself to a Whopper Junior with onion rings and a chocolate milkshake. When Michael gave me "a look" I said, "Hey, I burned a lot of calories this morning." To which he replied, "not THAT many!"

The most fitting time to race, if you have this mentality, is the holiday season. We are smack in between Thanksgiving and Christmas which means food, food and more food, which is why this morning I lined up with my friends Sarah and Jules for the Weston Race for Tomorrow Half Marathon.

The weather was perfect with temperatures in the mid 50s at the start, warming up to the 60s by the finish. This was my fourth half marathon, and my attitude toward it was "it is what it is." I knew I would finish, but I didn't know how quickly. My training wasn't as consistent as it should have been. A PR (personal record) is always a hope.

Our strategy today was to maintain an 8/2 routine - 8 minute run, then a 2 minute walk. I had never approached a race this way but this is how we trained, and it actually makes us faster overall, believe it or not. The course was flat and wide, which was great, but quiet and empty by the end. It also featured two down-and-backs... Any route that takes you by the finish line with 6 miles left is just mean.

At about mile 9.5 I started breaking down mentally. (This is where more training would be helpful.) From here to the end I was conscience of every minute we ran- and every pain. My lower back, my right knee, my left hip. Ahh, the joys of running.

Finally we were nearing the finish and Michael and Adam were there cheering us on. We came in at 2 hours, 23 minutes, a PR for me by 5 minutes!! We maintained a 10:57 min/mi pace which was a milestone for my running. And today I realized I race for something else... Massages! Thanks, Sarah, for booking those. Sooo worth it!

So now I am all set for holiday eating, in my mind anyway. Bring on the cookies and Christmas goodies! I am sure I burned enough calories to carry me easily through to the new year (don't give me that look, Michael). I am not sure what the next race will be, but there will be one, because we are heading into Birthday season. Let me eat cake!